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Tuesday, September 30th
New Owner: Rosario To Stay A Resort - Purchased For $5.7+M -
4:45 p.m. Rosario Resort staff will not release information, but early reports are that Rosario resort was sold to a Washington developer with an interest and experience in marinas. The resort currently has a 34-slip marina and an additional 28 offshore moorings.
The name of the new owner is not being released at this time, but the Island Guardian has been told he will follow the Master Plan that was approved by the County.
The County Council has expressed concerns about the potential loss of tax revenue if a new owner was to shut down the resort and concentrate only on the sale of the land for residential development.
The historic resort includes 10 buildings with 131 rooms on 74 acres, plus a conference center, restaurants, a museum and, of course, spa. The approved Master Plan will -among other things- allow the new owner to build 134 luxury vacation condos. The Moran Mansion is the centerpiece of the resort was constructed in the early years of 1900, and under the approved plan will be restored as a part of the master development plan.
There were 10 bidders, limited to those who had to presented a check for a refundable $250,000 to gain the right to make a bid.
Additional information -and corrections if any- will be posted as information is released.
[link]
A Mother’s nightmare - Brother Charged With Murder In Death Of Brother
Jawaad Darcelle Reaves has been charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of his brother, Jermaine DeShion Reaves. Bail has been set at $100,000.00 dollars.
What happened in Friday Harbor on Sunday afternoon has became clearer after the evidence against Reaves was presented in Superior Court to Judge John Linde on Monday.
According to a statement by Detective Brent Johnson of the SJC Sheriff’s Office, the crime was witnessed by the mother of the two brothers. The mother had recently arrived in Friday Harbor and was staying with the two brothers in their apartment.
A fight broke out between the brothers following a “hated argument.”
[more..]
Annual School Bus Ridership Count= $$
By Terresa Sundstrom
The San Juan Island School District will count district-transported students on school buses for five days during the period of Thursday, September 25th through Wednesday, October 1, 2008.
The district’s annual transportation revenue from the state is determined by counting students transported during this one “ridership count week” early in the school year
[more..]
First Aid & CPR Classes Offered
Be prepared for an injury or life-threatening emergency that could take place in your home or workplace.
Island Rec is offering both a First Aid Class on Monday September 29 and CPR on Wednesday October 1st. Both classes meet at the Aid Unit on Spring Street and run from 5:30-9:30pm
Participants can register for either or both classes. Cost is $25 per class and pre-registration is required. Registration forms are available in Island Rec’s Fall/Winter Program Guide and from www.islandrec.org , Call Island Rec at 378-4953 for more information or stop by 580 Guard Street 1-5pm Monday through Friday.
[link]
Monday, September 29th
One Brother Dead, One In Jail
Jermaine De Shion Reaves was shot to death on Sunday in Friday Harbor, and his brother, Jawaad Darcelle Reaves is now in jail and will be court Monday for a hearing to determine if there is sufficient cause to charge him in the shooting death of his brother.
It has been alleged that a shotgun was used to kill Mr. Reaves.
Sunday afternoon Sheriff’s deputies responded to a “domestic violence” call at an apartment building in Friday Harbor, where they found both the victim and his brother, Jawaad Darcelle Reaves, who was questioned and taken into custody. The investigation is continuing.
According to early reports there was another family member in the apartment, as well as a family friend. Both brothers are reported to be 21 years old.
[link]
At Last: Public Input Asked On Stormwater Funding
The Council has yet to release the draft stormwater funding ordinanc, but they want to know what the public thinks about it; the draft that is, or less specifically, what they have said is in the draft.
Public meetings have been now been scheduled on Orcas, Lopez and San Juan Islands on the proposed Stormwater Utility Ordinance, including fees which would be charged to all property owners countywide.
The first meeting is on San Juan Island -Tuesday, October 7, 4:30-6 p.m. at the Mullis Center, 589 Nash St, Friday Harbor
Lopez Island -Wednesday, October 8,-4:00- 5:30 pm, Lopez Island Public Library
Orcas Island -Thursday, October 9,-4:30 pm-6 pm, Orcas Island Senior Center, 62 Henry Road, Eastsound.
[more..]
Sunday, September 28th
FH Sunday Afternoon Concert
Concert at the Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church, beginning at 3pm, Sunday, September 28.
the Performing Arts Society resumes its concert series On September 28, 2008 Grisha Krivchenia and Sally Browne will be joined by Ayako English, a violinist from SF/Bay Area, performing Franz Schubert’s Piano Trio Op. 99 in B flat major.
Also on the program, Grisha shall perform a Schubert Impromptu in A flat major and his own Impromptu. The trio will rejoin to debut an original piano trio, Postlude from the Poison Arrow, written by Grisha.
[link]
Saturday, September 27th
Building Trails
 On the heels of the United Way Day of Caring volunteers, and the San Juan Trails Committee, the Land Bank invites the public to help build on their momentum.
This weekend's first work party is pretty spontaneous, they are planning on meeting this Saturday (9-20-08) to keep the work plowing ahead.
As Doug McCutchen of the Land Bank reported after Wednesday's work party, "The work party was a great joy for me and I hope everyone enjoyed it despite the weather. It was great to put some names to faces that I've seen around the island for years. This project will serve the community in many ways for years to come-- both recreationally and as a non motorized transportation corridor. It is my hope that a hundred years from now people will be using this trail and appreciating the foresight and effort of our current community members."
[more..]
Breakfast of Champions Awards $700,000!!
Friday (9-26-08) morning, 7:30 a.m., in the Mullis Center: the San Juan Island Community Foundation awards grants at its annual “Breakfast of Champions” ceremony.
Financial awards at a breakfast presentation Friday morning to local non-profits, public institutions and, for the first time, scholarships, exceeded over $700,000.00
Foundation Chair Charles Anderson said: “We are extremely grateful to the growing number donors who have made this possible and allowed us to more than quadruple our grant awards over the last two years!”
The morning’s program celebrated and recognized all Foundation grant recipients over the past year and include some words from the perspective of our Island non-profits. Chef Tom French, of the Experience Food Project - who is bringing such excitement to our school’s cafeterias - was the keynote speaker
For more information on the Community Foundation, please contact Susan Matthews at 378-1001 or visit the office at The Technology Center, Mullis Street, Friday Harbor, WA.
[link]
Friday, September 26th
FH Finds Another Old Oil Line
Earlier this month the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) added Friday Harbor Front St. right-of-way, and part of the San Juan Marina, to its list of hazardous sites planned for cleanup. Good thing too, because the job just got a bit bigger.
For the second time since 2006, old pipes used to carry oil and diesel to the cannery site that used to be located south of the ferry landing have been unintentional found by an excavator.
[more..]
Public Meetings on Stormwater Utility
The County Council is ready to take the draft Stormwater Ordinance proposal on a "road show" to receive public input. Sort of. Not the draft really, but an outline.
“The subcommittee has spent nearly nine months studying and debating the Utility’s mission and different means of funding it,” said Subcommittee chair Rich Peterson, “And I think we have come up with something that addresses the County’s needs as well as the citizens’ concerns that were expressed in the referendum.”
Now it will be up to public to see if they agree with the work product of the committee. Or at least an outline of it. The full draft is not quite ready for prime time, since it has yet to be reviewed by County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord, but the Council may release all, or parts of the draft, if Councilman Gene Knapp's advice to the Council is followed. Knapp said Gaylord is unlikely to recommend any substantive changes, so why not just release it as it is: a draft document.
Based on reports given to the Council by the subcommittee, it is expected the outline will contain the following:
[more..]
Stormwater -Ok To Wash The Car
Ecology Director Jay Manning said it has recently become apparent that there is significant confusion regarding how the stormwater permits apply to residential car washing.
He made it clear that Ecology will emphasize informing and educating people about the problem of polluted runoff, and the precautions we can all take to keep our waters clean.
Manning urged local governments to also take a public education approach about proper car washing through education, not through tickets, fines or other penalties.
[more..]
Thursday, September 25th
CC Agrees To New UDC Docket Timelines
(Jon Cain explains a point to Council as CD&P Planner Shireene Hale observes -Randy Gaylord in background)
The County Council failed to grant CD&P (Community Development and Planning) Director Ron Henrickson’s request to allow changes to land use regulations to come before the Council at will.
The Council decided to follow a version of the Planning Commission Recommendations to limit the number of times the UDC (Uniform Development Code) can be changed from only once a year, to three times a year, and to sunset the change in two years.
A public hearing on the proposal was held on Tuesday by the Council to hear additional comment on CD&P (Community Development and Planning) recommendations that the Council should ignore the three key elements of the Planning Commission Recommendations and let CD&P suggest changes at any time.
[more..]
A Million Here, A Million There..Oops!
In a report to the Council on Tuesday, County Auditor Milene Henley delivered revenue projections for 2009m and revised projections for 2008m that added to the previous warnings that the County Council is overspending their budget.
Henley’s PowerPoint presentation of the history and projections of the budget indicated revenue and expenditures have been close to parallel In the past, but that time has, well, passed.
[more..]
Wednesday, September 24th
Benedict Receives Sentence Based On Agreement Between Prosecutor and Defense
On Tuesday in Superior Court, Judge John Linde stated “I sentence the defendant to twelve months in jail: One month in the county jail; three months on daily work crew; and eight months on community work release -which is house arrest, allowing him to go to daily work and then return at night to his father’s house.” Linde also imposed an additional twelve months of probation.
The sentence by John Linde reflected the recommendations by the office of the County Prosecutor, the attorneys for Robert N, Benedict, and the family of Jarvis Teasdale, the young man who was tragically killed in an automobile accident , last year, in which it was alleged Benedict was the driver.
[more..]
Tuesday, September 23rd
PC Reverses Former Opinion -Agrees To ADU Lottery
The SJC Planning Commission (PC) has voted to approve a recommendation from CD&P (Community Development & Planning) to drop the “First Come, First Served” call-in permit application process currently used to apply for an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Permit.
While only the method of how one applies would be changed (the rest of the procedure process would remain the same) it is possible the result will be less permits for ADUs -also known as guest houses- being granted.
The current system requires some commitment, but under the lottery system anyone will be able to throw their name into a hat and hope for the best, even if they really have no intent of building an ADU.
[more..]
Guest Editorial
Amendment to remove timing restriction for UDC: A Bad Idea
By Dr. Chris Clarke
During Council deliberations at the 9/9/08 hearing, Council Member Ranker made the comment that no one else does UDC amendments the way we do.
This prompted me to contact every other county in the state with the following three questions:
1. Are the Comp Plan, SMP, and UDC amendments done together?
2. Do you establish a docket and specific timeline for when amendments are allowed or processed?
3. Do you amend any of them more than once a year?
So far, I have received responses from about ¾ of the other counties. Council Member Ranker’s statement is correct as far as it went, but is only part of the picture.
[more..]
Monday, September 22nd
Staff Recommends Against PC Recommendations
A public hearing will be held Tuesday by the Council (SJ County Council) to hear additional comment on CD&P (Community Development and Planning) recommendations that the CC ignore three key elements of the Planning Commission Recommendations on making changes to the UDC (the land use regulations contained in the Uniform Development Code) more frequently than once a year.
The PC (Planning Commission) and members of the public who testified against the proposal expressed concerns about making changes that would give CD&P freedom to submit changes to the UDC outside of the current requirement that all changes to the UDC and the Comprehensive Plan be done at the same time, and -a key point- only once a year.
[more..]
Septic System Inspection Classes
The San Juan County Health and Community Services department is now accepting registrations for its 2009 septic tank inspection classes. Last year’s classes filled quickly and organizers maintained a lengthy waiting list for many sessions.
[more..]
Sunday, September 21st
Rains Are Welcome
(Firefighters James Scheib, Chad Kimple and Carl Coburn fight heavy brush and steep ground to mop up the remains of the Crow Valley Wildland Fire -Tom Carter photo)
Orcas first responders have had a busy few days, and two wildland fires just before the rains came added to the work load.
Orcas Island Fire Department responded to a wildland fire on Crow Valley Road Tuesday, just after 10 am. Brush 21 and Eastsound Engine 21 arrived to find flames moving quickly up a hillside in heavy underbrush and timber.
Firefighters were able to knock the fire down before it was able to spread towards homes and Turtleback Mountain Preserve. The road was closed so that water drop tanks could be set up near the base of the fire.
[more..]
Possible $250K in Matching Funds To SJSD
Superintendent Michael Soltman reported today that the Save Our Schools (SOS) Campaign has raised $252,713 toward a matching gift goal of $300,000 made by the San Juan Island Community Foundation.
It is anticipated that the Community Foundation will award $250,000 in matched funds at its “Breakfast of Champions” on Friday, September 26th. Soltman reported that the combined “challenge” and “matching” gifts have reached $505,426 toward restoring the $600,000 in program cuts identified last spring. He said, “This amazing community support has made it possible for us to sustain excellence in our school programs for the 2008-09 school year. We are so grateful for this community’s commitment to its schools.”
The $300,000 Challenge Gift through the San Juan Community Foundation included gifts from:
[more..]
Friday, September 19th
Busy Day On Orcas
(Firefighter EMT Rich Harvey helps clear the scene after crash)
Orcas Island Fire Department responded to a 2-vehicle crash at Orcas Road and Nordstrom¹s Lane on Friday the 19th, just after 8 am. Firefighter Ian Wareham was the first to arrive with the Westsound Fire Engine and reported that no one appeared to be entrapped or badly injured.
[more..]
The Big Picture
In celebration of the Town of Friday Harbor Centennial a community photo shoot is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, September 20th on First Street -between Court Street and the Community Theatre (on the water side below the Courthouse Parking lot).
Please spread the word to all your family and friends -the more the merrier! For more information or to offer help please contact organizer Debbie Emery at debemery@centurytel.net or by cell at 472-1657.
[more..]
Public Right-Of-Way For Public Good?
Anyone who has lived in San Juan County is aware of the two part argument that “we are running out of water,” but “transporting water is the problem, not the lack of it.”
A public hearing on Orcas will be held September 29, 10:40 AM, at the Orcas Senior Center” to take testimony on a proposal to withdraw and transport up to 10 gallons of water a minute for multiple domestic use.
For the most part the argument has been a hypothetical one that has more to do with allowing development by providing water where there is none, then it has to do with how much water really is available if we are willing to pay to move it from where it is, to where it is not.
For years private water systems have used portions of the public right-of-way to route water, electrical and communication lines, but the old arguments have now surfaced as a reality after a private company applied for a franchise to use the public right-of-way for a water line that will move water nearly three and a half miles (map above) from one part of Orcas to another part.
[more..]
Thursday, September 18th
Farmer’s Market, Town & Land Bank Do Not Join Forces
The Land Bank has agreed to a proposal from the Agricultural Guild (Guild) to assist in the purchase of the Erickson property in downtown Friday Harbor.
Land Bank Director Lincoln Bormann told the County Council that having been approached by the Guild to help purchase the land with the “Friday Harbor Brick and Tile” building on it, the land Bank went to the County Council seeking permission to add the project to their budget.
The building was constructed in 1920, and is considered to be a historical structure by the Land Bank.
[more..]
And The Winners Are
(Advanced Skateboard winners - Photo Left to Right: Jeff B, Kyle N, Elliot G, Kyle S, Will K -Not pictured Ian C and Travis W)
Island Rec’s Freestyle Skateboard and BMX Jam was a huge success. There were 23 competitors this year. 15 Skaters and 8 Bikers. This was the first year for the BMX competition and the 7th year for the Skateboard. After getting rained out in August Island Rec had a gorgeous day the second time around. More photos of the winners follow:
[more..]
Wednesday, September 17th
Council Wants A Crosswalk
The County Council and the County Auditor do not agree that a new marked crosswalk is needed to connect the courthouse and the new legislative building.
Speaking as a private citizen, the SJC Auditor took advantage of the Public Access slot on the CC agenda to tell the Council that “As a resident and property owner concerned about the loss of a parking spaces in town; of which there has been many in recent years” she opposed the Council’s decision to request the new crosswalk.
“To lose three parking spaces to a cross-walk that will seldom be used” is not a good idea she said.
[more..]
Transportation Summit
Residents, policy makers and transportation providers are attending a Transportation Summit. today to explore economically and environmentally sustainable “multi-modal transportation solutions for San Juan County.”
The meeting is taking place at the SJC Fairgrounds and runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Six presentations and “world café” small group discussions leading to action plans will take place during the day, followed by an end-of-the-day conversation with the State Transportation Commission regarding long-term ferry funding and customer surveys
[link]
SJ Community Park Moves Forward
It has taken three years to get to this point (related story), but with the grading of the sports fields and the construction of clubhouse underway, the Friday Harbor Athletic Association, in partnership with the San Juan Island School District, states the completion of at least the infrastructure portion is now complete.
San Juan Island Community Park is a privately funded $2.5 million project. Upon completion, the Park will feature six practice and playing fields (one football field, two soccer fields, two softball fields, and one baseball field), approximately one-mile of walking trails, picnic areas, a clubhouse complete with restrooms and concessions and a reservation for a future school, if required
Two playing fields are scheduled for completion in the summer of 2009, and the final completion is slated for the summer of 2010, weather and funding permitting.
[more..]
Tuesday, September 16th
Powerful Links to Fed Info
There was a time when getting official information from the federal government felt a little like old-time prospecting. It took lots of time, sifting and patience just for the possibility of uncovering a few gold nuggets.
These days, the best link between government and citizen is www.USA.gov . That’s not the creators and managers of the site speaking; it’s Time magazine, which rated USA.gov one of the 25 websites “we can’t live without,” and the Brookings Institution, which recently named USA.gov the best government site.
[more..]
Monday, September 15th
Guest Editorial
Crumb Rubber
The right surface for the new Friday Harbor Elementary School Playground?
By Janice Peterson
Introduction:
The new playground has been anticipated for a long time and from what I have seen and heard, nearly everyone is very happy with it. The crumb rubber surface makes it much harder to get hurt and has the advantage of using recycled materials (tires). Some parents and concerned others, however, have raised questions about the material that should be satisfactorily answered - Is it safe in terms of toxicity levels? Is it flammable? Does run-off from the material cause any problems? Are there things we should know about it that might be negative? And so forth.
[more..]
Saturday, September 13th
Ed W. Freeman
 Nov. 20, 1927 - Aug. 20, 2008
Once They Were Soldiers....A Brave Centurion Of The American Legion Falls
Major Ed W. Freeman passed away on Aug. 20, 2008 at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, due to complications from Parkinson's Disease. He was 80 years old. Freeman did not live in San Juan County, but his passing deserves notice.
An email we received explains why:
[more..]
Friday, September 12th
Shining Star Award Celebration
On Saturday September 13 from 3-4pm at the Family Park, Island Rec is hosting its first ever Board Shining Star Award Celebration. This first ever event in Island Rec’s nearly 25 year history will coincide with Island Rec’s Volunteer Appreciation (IRV) Ice Cream Social.
“Island Rec has been extremely busy offering diverse and quality recreation program and parks to San Juan Islanders we have not taken the time to recognize those who have been extremely supportive along the way. Recognition of these folks is long over due” stated Sally Thomsen, Recreation Director.
[more..]
Dealing with Difficult People
A FREE workshop is being offered on how to get deal with the County Council -No just kidding, it really is a free workshop by Carnachan Asscociates in partnership with the SJI Chamber of Commerce and the San Juan County Economic Development Council are offering a workshop on “Dealing with Difficult People.”
[more..]
Thursday, September 11th
America’s Cup Boat In SJ Waters
( BMW Oracle racing photo)
There has been a number of connections between San Juan County and the America’s Cup boats, but this is the first time anyone recalls a potential multi-hull Cup challenger under sail in our waters.
Janicki Industries is based in in Sedro-Woolley , and they have built mono hull boats for the Cup, but it is a 90-foot multihull yacht that has been spotted under tow and under sail in our waters as the BMW Oracle Racing teams have been testing a boat that may, we say may, be one of the next America Cup challengers.
[more..]
Wednesday, September 10th
UDC Changes Held Off -For Now
(John Evans addresses the County Council -staff in background)
The County Council held a public meeting on Tuesday to take testimony on a request from Ron Henrickson, the Director of Community Development and Planning (CD&P), to change the current requirement that changes to the Uniform Development Code (UDC) can only be done once a year. (related story)
Henrickson would like to have the power to submit changes to the Council for their review at any time -a proposal the SJC Planning Commission, a majority of the public, and both sides of county special interest groups have strongly opposed.
Former County Commissioner John Evans spoke against the proposal, reiterating the main points from a letter he had sent to the Council.
[more..]
County Reviews Code Enforcement Policy
Responding to a number of complaints that the County is not doing enough to stop code violations, the Council discussed the matter on Tuesday with County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord and the Code Enforcement Officer for Community Development & Planning.
The Council had recently received a packet of photos (above) and background material alleging a land clearing violation on Orcas of un-permitted clear cutting.
While the material was used as an example of why stronger enforcement and fines, were needed, it turned out that the cutting of trees on the property was not a county land use violation, or a violation of state logging regulations; but in any case it served as a launching point for the Council to voice support for a review of current policies.
[more..]
Tuesday, September 9th
Rush To Keep Tax Break For Ag Land
The County Council may use a desire to extend a tax break to the owners of agricultural land not being farmed, as one of the excuses to pass an ordinance to allow changes to land use regulations more frequently than once a year.
Current regulations will not allow deferred taxes on agricultural land if land is not being farmed, but adopting a program allowed by state law will allow deferred taxes if the owner agrees to conserve land as “farm and agricultural conservation land.”
Some problems: (1), the county has not following state law by requiring proof of farming of the land that is receiving a county property tax break; (2) the tax break results in the rest of county land owners picking up the difference, that is, the agricultural land is being subsidized; (3) the county could, but currently does not, allow a tax break for land not farmed if it is in a “farm and agricultural conservation land” program; and (4) the county would need to change the Uniform Development Code (UDC) to offer a “conservation land” program; but under county law this can only be done once a year.
UDC changes only once a year? Where have we heard that before? The County Council will hold a public hearing today -Tuesday (9-6-08)- to take testimony on allowing Community Development and Planning to make changes more frequently than once a year.
[more..]
Monday, September 8th
Line Jumping On Rise In Anacortes
Two recent incidents of line jumping at the Anacortes ferry terminal will be investigated by the Ferry Advisory Committee.
The two separate incidents happened in August when cars left one line and quickly drove over to join a loading line. In the past this sort of behavior was, while rare, quickly responded to by ferry workers, but that seems to have changed.
Yvonne Swanberg of San Juan Island told the Island Guardian that she was "in the overload line at the Anacortes Terminal awaiting the 5 p.m. ferry to Friday Harbor. I was #12 in overload and was put in Lane 11 with Lane 12 being vehicles with priority over Lane 11 which was the overload lane with vehicles appropriately marked. As vehicles were loading from Lane 11, a double cab red pickup which would have been about #18 in overload in Lane 11 behind me pulled out and joined into Lane 12 loading sequence."
[more..]
CC Public Hearing Tuesday On UDC Changes
A public hearing has been scheduled at 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday to receive comments from the public on a proposal from Community Development and Planning (CD&P) to change the regulations to allow them to make changes to county regulations outside of the normal procedures currently in effect.
The proposed ordinance will remove the requirement that changes to the Uniform Development Code (UDC) can occur only once a year when proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan (CP) are made.
A Planning Commission hearing on this ordinance was held on January 18, 2008, (full story) at the request of CD&P Director Ron Hendrickson to allow changes to the regulations to be made more frequently than once a year.
[more..]
Saturday, September 6th
Very Happy Dogs
( Dogs run free, while owners chat about the Dog Park)
Talk about some happy dogs! The grand opening of the San Juan Island Dog Park, Eddie and Friends, was clearly appreciated by the dogs. The park is an off-leash park, and the dogs had a great time running, which seemed to be the main thing they did, chasing and checking each other out .
The are is quite large, fully fenced, and with a set of double gates to allow secure passage of people and pets. It was interesting to note that when one person came in and did not understand the dogs are to be off lease, the dog active aggressive and went after the other dogs, but once free, the dog -as if a switch had been thrown- joined in the running with what sure looked like a happy simile.
After more than a year of hard work by a small group of hardy individuals -and contributions from more than 125 generous islanders -Eddie & Friends Dog Park will had its grand opening on Sept. 6.
Eddie's Dog Park is located on Mullis Street between Browne's Home Center and the Fire Dept. There will be information available from local animal-related businesses, dog caricatures by renowned cartoonist Paul Chadwick and a presentation about dog park etiquette from Downtown Dog's Jessica Ray
Everyone who has a dog -or just loves watching dogs play- is invited to stop by the park.
[link]
Friday, September 5th
Benedict To Be Sentence This Month
 (file photo of March 2007 accident)
An “Alford plea” of no contest has been entered by Robert N. Benedict to charges he was the driver of a car that crashed in 2007, resulting in the death of passenger Jarvis Teasdale, and injuries to the owner of the car, Amber Beeston.
The plea allows Benedict to continue to maintain he is innocent of the charges, but admits that based on the evidence and the presumed testimony, he may very well be found guilty of the charges.
The County has recommended Benedict be required to pay a fine and related conviction costs and charges, spend up to six months in confinement, followed by three months of supervised work crew.
He will be sentenced later this month, but the Court may impose whatever penalty it believes to be appropriate to the specific crime of a Class A felony of vehicular homicide.
[link]
Thursday, September 4th
Spanel, Quall & Linville Endorse Ranker
This week, Senator Harriet Spanel and Representatives Kelli Linville and Dave Quall all endorsed Kevin Ranker.
Now that nearly all of the votes have been counted, it has become clear that Kevin Ranker not only advanced to the general election, but also won the primary in all three counties by 11 points overall.
Kelli Linville, Representative of the 42nd, which shares Whatcom County with the 40th District, had this to say: "While this was a hard-fought primary, it is now important that we get behind our nominee Kevin Ranker. His experience as a local elected official and his significant understanding of issues from throughout the region will allow him to hit the ground running. He has my full support, and I look forward to working with him in Olympia."
[more..]
Ecology Adds FH Sites To Cleanup List
The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) has added 41 sites in 19 counties to its list of hazardous sites planned for cleanup, and part of the Friday Harbor Front St. right-of-way, and part of the San Juan Marina, also in Friday Harbor, have made it onto the list.
The good news is that Ecology has ranked the two areas at the bottom of the risk scale “to people and the environment.” The bad news is that the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) specifies that those responsible for polluting a site must pay for its cleanup.
Both of the sites are believed to be related to property the Toucan Oil Trust purchased, and is now being developed by Tukang Enterprises LLC. The building is located in front of Vinny’s Restaurant, and has been under construction for a couple of years now.
[more..]
Public Hearing On Transfer Station
The Community Development & Planning Department will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 11, 2008, to take oral comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed San Juan Island solid waste transfer facility.
The public hearing will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Mullis Community Senior Center at 589 Nash Street in Friday Harbor. Participants are also encouraged to submit comments in writing because speaking time may be limited depending on the number of people speaking. PLEASE NOTE: This is the public hearing that was originally scheduled for September 4, 2008 and has had to be rescheduled.
[link]
Wednesday, September 3rd
Join The Observers In Monroe
 Barbara Jensen of San Juan Islands Audubon has announced that this coming Saturday Pilchuck and Seattle Audubon will host the "Monroe Swift Night Out" at the Frank Wagner Elementary School in Monroe. Swifts are on the move heading south and they have a night roost at the schools chimney.
Last May 21,000 (the second largest congregation in North America) were counted as they entered the chimney. There should be several times more birds as the young migrate with their parents. There will be a lecture at 6:30 and people to answer your questions.
Each September thousands of migrating Vaux's (pronounced "voxes") Swifts roost in Monroe School District's Frank Wagner Elementary School chimney to rest while on their southern migration from northwestern Canada and Washington State to Central America and Venezuela
[more..]
Captain's Licensing Course
 Zenith Maritime has announced that Captain Richard Rodriguez will offer a Captain's Licensing Course for the Sixth Season in the San Juans.
This year's course will be conducted the the in the meeting room above Paradise Lanes in September and October. In the past five years Capt. Rodriguez has qualified hundreds Coast Guard Masters (Captains.) Graduates are working in a variety of positions. ( announcement on last years class )
[more..]
Tuesday, September 2nd
Supreme Court Rules
In a unanimous decision, the The Washington Supreme Court has once again ruled on land use issues that will shape future actions by San Juan County as it works to update and write new land use regulations under the Growth Management Act (GMA).
The case is related to what a county can and cannot do to come into compliance with the GMA, and to what extent those actions, and past legislation, can be subject to appeal.
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A Fluorescent Orange Jacket May Be Wise
By David Dehlendorf
Hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, and other recreational users of public and private land on San Juan Island should be aware that the deer hunting season starts on September 1 and continues on specified dates through December 31, 2008. The wearing of bright-colored clothing when working or walking in the woods may not be ill-advised.
There are various openings and closings during this period depending upon the type of weapon used. For example, the entire month of September is open for bow hunting. For details, consult the State of Washington's website at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/seasons.htm.
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